German police have arrested a man Suspect of killing three people and injuring eight others in a knife attack on Friday in Solingen, a city in western Germany. Herbert Reul, the Interior Minister of North Rhine-Westphalia state, announced the arrest through ARD public TV late Saturday, saying, “The man we’ve been looking for the whole day has just been taken into custody.”
Particulars concerning the Arrest of Suspect
While Minister Reul did not provide further details about the suspect, Germany’s Bild, and Spiegel news websites have reported that he turned himself into authorities while dressed in filthy clothes stained with blood. The suspect reportedly killed two men aged 56 and 67 and a 56-year-old woman during an event held in Solingen by stabbing them to death. Chancellor Olaf Scholz labeled it as “a horrific act.”
Proof and Investigation Suspect
According to Mr Reul, there is evidence linking the suspect to the assault, though no specific nature of this evidence was mentioned. A spokesman for the state interior ministry said that the man turned himself in. This arrest follows two others made earlier on Saturday linked to what has become known as a “stabbing spree.”
Refugee Centre, Previous Arrests and Raid
Saturday morning, he witnessed the arrest of a man at a refugee center located close to the scene of the attack. The raid was conducted by officers from the Special Task Force, SEK, who came to the center. The boy, aged 15 years, was also apprehended. Although he was not regarded as the key suspect in this case, he was believed to have foreknowledge of the attack.
Reason for Attack Unclear and Claimed Responsibility
ISIS claimed that they were behind Saturday’s attack without providing proof or establishing any link with its perpetrator. During Solingen’s 650th-anniversary celebration festival, it was reported that the attacker randomly selected pedestrians. This led to much commotion because, as police indicated, he specifically targeted people’s necks and throats.
Solingen Impact
Solingen has around 160,000 people and is famous for its steel industry; it lies about 25 kilometers east of Düsseldorf. After this incident, authorities called on inhabitants to leave the the Fronhof area. In contrast, the three-day remembrance festivity, which should have attracted about seventy-five thousand people, did notoccure again.
Community in Mourning
The community is mourning and in shock after the attack. Solingen Mayor Tim Kurzbach was apologetic and said, “It’s unfortunate that something like this happened in our city. I can’t stop thinking about how many people we have lost. My thoughts go out to all who are still fighting for their lives.” In a show of solidarity, players from Germany’s top Bundesliga football league wore black armbands during their matches on Saturday.
Ongoing Investigation and Vigil Suspect
The police have cordoned off Fronhof’s entrance as investigations continue, and people are placing flowers and lighting candles there for the departed souls. The assault has not only shaken Solingen City but also Germany at large.
